SUMMARY: APPROX. RUNNING TIME: 47:00 Min.
First broadcast by CBS-TV, on February 17, 1985, John Llewellyn Moxey directed this episode off the show’s co-creator/executive producer Peter S. Fischer’s script.
Celebrated painter Diego Santana’s (Romero) family is hosting several friends, including Jessica Fletcher (Lansbury), on his secluded Mediterranean island. After evading one attempted homicide disguised as a mere accident, Diego confides in Jessica that he believes one of his guests intends to kill him.
Besides the invitees, there’s also an artist-in-residence (Keats) that Diego sponsors who evidently intends to sleep with Diego’s far-younger wife (Raines). Another wild card is Diego’s roguish adult son (Allende), who might not hesitate to expedite a potential windfall of an inheritance, if the opportunity arises.
After one guest falls mysteriously ill, Jessica teams with a British police inspector (Moody) to bodyguard their charitable friend. Yet, tragedy later ensues, as homicide and arson leaves Jessica trapped on this remote island with a greedy killer.
Jessica Fletcher: Angela Lansbury
Diego Santana: Cesar Romero
Margo Santana: Cristina Raines
Belle Chaney: Capucine
Stefan Conrad: Steven Keats
Inspector Henry Kyle: Ron Moody
Miguel Santana: Fernando Allende
Elaine McComber: Judy Geeson
Willard Kaufmann: Robert Goulet
Sir John Landry: Stewart Granger
Antonio: Pepe Hern
REVIEW:
Reminiscent in its glamorous style to Agatha Christie’s storytelling, “Paint Me a Murder” is mostly well-played. Terrific chemistry amongst the cast and leisurely imagery ably compensates for some late telegraphing hints of the culprit’s identity. For instance, Jessica’s unlikely deductions rely on art world backroom info that she shouldn’t have been able to confirm, given the episode’s secluded (and pre-internet) circumstances.
Still, this early Murder, She Wrote proves a channel surfing treat to watch.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
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